Dining Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a student focusing on public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
